Florida Housing Finance Corporation was created by the state legislature to help Floridians find affordable housing. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by county and municipal housing authorities across Florida.

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Source of Income Protections & Tenant Rights

While Florida does not currently have a blanket statewide source of income protection law, several major counties and municipalities—including Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and Hillsborough counties—have passed local ordinances barring voucher discrimination.

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Fair Market Rents & Voucher Payment Standards

Due to rapid population growth and escalating rents, HUD has implemented Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) across Florida’s primary metropolitan regions, providing higher payment standards in high-opportunity ZIP codes.

Without extra HUD approval, a payment standard is usually any amount from 90% up to 110% of the published Fair Market Rent for that unit size (24 CFR 982.503). Enter your PHA’s written dollar amount in the calculator; otherwise we use 100% of FMR as a stand-in.

How HAP is calculated · Pay by bedroom size

Prominent Public Housing Authorities in Florida

Contact your local PHA for waiting lists and applications. Links go to official agency sites or HUD’s national PHA directory.

Miami / Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development (PHCD)

Serves one of Florida’s most competitive housing markets with thousands of active vouchers.

Phone: (305) 403-3222
Website / Apply ↗

Tampa

Tampa Housing Authority (THA)

Administers HCV assistance and community redevelopment programs throughout Hillsborough County.

Phone: (813) 253-0551
Website / Apply ↗

Orlando

Orlando Housing Authority (OHA)

Manages voucher programs across the City of Orlando and Orange County.

Phone: (407) 895-3300
Website / Apply ↗

Jacksonville

Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA)

Operates extensive voucher and affordable housing developments across Duval County.

Phone: (904) 630-3810
Website / Apply ↗

Ocala

Ocala Housing Authority (OHA)

Administers vouchers and HUD family self-sufficiency programs in Marion County.

Phone: (352) 369-2500
Website / Apply ↗

View full PHA directory → · National PHA directory (HUD) ↗

Frequently Asked Questions About Section 8 in Florida

How do I apply for Section 8 in Florida?

Applications must be submitted directly to local housing authorities in Florida when waiting lists open. Because waitlists open infrequently, applicants are advised to check websites of multiple county housing authorities regularly.

What are the income limits for Section 8 in Florida?

Income limits are based on Area Median Income (AMI) set by HUD for each Florida county. Families must typically earn 50% or less of the area median income, with 75% of new vouchers targeted to families below 30% AMI.

Are landlords in Florida required to take Section 8?

Under state law there is no statewide requirement, but major Florida jurisdictions (including Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, and Hillsborough) have local ordinances making source-of-income discrimination illegal.

Major Cities & Metropolitan Areas in Florida

Miami

Tampa

Orlando

Jacksonville

St. Petersburg

Hialeah

Tallahassee